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Chase’s Nursery – diy pAINTED iKEA Rug

5.18.2011

It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything about Chase’s nursery design. I have had so little time to post anything but have been doing so much to it. The nursery is basically complete with the exception of a few pieces of art. I’ll do a big reveal once I have all of the artwork up, but for now I thought I would share my rug project with you.

First off let me get 2 disclaimers out of the way…

#1 – DO NOT ATTEMPT PAINTING A RUG AT 8 and 3/4 MONTHS PREGNANT LIKE I DID. I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH EASIER TO DO AS NON-PREGO PERSON.

#2 – THIS PROJECT REQUIRES MUCH PATIENCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PATIENCE THEN DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS PROJECT.

Okay, so back to the rug story. The rug I originally wanted was this dhurrie rug from West Elm.

It is a beauty but after we moved to our new home I realized it was slightly out of our budget. I started thinking about the awesome painted Ikea rugs that I had seen around the blog world lately.

I thought I could do something at least in the same colors and make it have the same feel as the West Elm rug. So off to Ikea I went.

Once I got home with the flat-woven $40 ERSLEV rug, I laid it out on the floor and measured it to determine how big my pattern should be.

I also talked to one of my friends, a faux painter, and asked her what material I should use to make the stencil. She gave me a great tip. She said to use clear contact paper, like the kind you line your shelf with. It was 5 bucks a roll at Wal-Mart. Fortunately for me, it worked out that the contact paper could be placed exactly 4 times across. [Please excuse the mess on the left side of the picture.]

Once I determined the size that my stencil should be I made my stencil pattern out of an extra large sheet of graph paper. Then I traced it onto my contact paper and cut it out.

Once I had my patterns cut, I peeled the backing off of the contact paper and stuck it on the rug. This is where I about lost it. The contact paper was pretty flimsy and kept wanting to curl up on itself. Couple that along with bending down with an oversized tummy and you have one worn out pregnant lady. When it was finally down and straight I gained my composure back and continued on.

With my sponge roller and latex paint I painted a light coat over each of the openings in my stencil. I wanted the color to be somewhat transparent so I didn’t do a heavy coat at all. The paint did end up being quite darker than I had originally planned so I ended up using a second coat of a lighter orange.

I don’t have a picture of the next step, but once my paint dried I peeled up my contact paper and moved it over to the next two sections. It went down much easier the second time around. The contact paper seemed more stiff.

After two more coats of paint on the 3rd and 4th rows I was done. It took a little longer than I had expected it to take, but I was so happy with the end result that I didn’t mind the time it had taken.

It is absolutely perfect in Chase’s nursery and really helps complete the space. I can’t wait until I get pictures of the whole room to show you.

If any of you end up tackling this DIY rug project I’d love to hear about it. Please send me pics too!

I can't believe you did this 8 1/2 mths pregnant. I'm exhausted just thinking about it - but it was totally worth the effort - such a statement piece in the nursery. Can hardly wait for the final reveal!!

OMG I love this!! And this post could not have come at a better time! My parents just replaced a rug they had because it had a few stains on it- and I of course rescued it knowing I could do something fun with it. Now to pick a pattern to do, hmm choices, choices!

Love it, thank you for the great tips,i bought some contact paper thinking that would be a great way to make stencils,but not being very crafty, id of never thought to roll the whole roll out(duh)! Bless your heart,doing this that preggers.You did a fabulous job!! I ,too,spotted that very cute slipcover!!;) God Bless!!

This looks amazing! I'm so impressed you did this seeing as you're so pregnant! I would have been impressed even if you hadn't been pregnant. :)Can't wait to see the reveal. I'm in dire need of nursery decorating tips!

Loving the color and design of the rug. Great job! Someday you will laugh about how crazy you were to do it while 8 months pregnant. BTW, thanks for sharing the tip about the contact paper. Posting to Pinterest.

This is by far the best look for the painted ikea rug - it is so Weinreib-esque - I love it! Just bought one of these rugs last week, and think I'll try your version of the "rug hack!"Also, delighted to have found your blog!

Cristi you did a fabulous job on this rug! And at 8 1/2 months pregnant? Unbelievable! My daughter is about that far along and is looking for a rug, I think I will send her your link, give her something to do while she is waiting for the baby to come :)

I love this idea. Especially using the contact paper. So smart. For years I have been using the back side of linoleum as floorcloths. I can get the scraps free from some dealers. It gets painted and varnished many many times. They work really well under highchairs, under a dining room table even if it is over carpet or tile. They wipe up easily. Another use is under a rolling office chair! They stand up really well and are open to freestyle painting, stencils or intricate designs depending on your talents! This is an amazing craft. Thanks so much.

Heya¡­my very first comment on your site. ,I have been reading your blog for a while and thoughtI would completely pop in and drop a friendly note. . It is great stuff indeed.I also wanted to ask..is there a way to subscribe to your site via email?

Hi Cristi, I love this project and really hope to do it when I move home in the summer. But I have a question, do you think this flatwoven rug would work just as well, or does it have to be a softer? http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20203563/#/80198295

Thank you for sharing this rug-painting idea. This really does not look so difficult and will certainly be great for those who are on the go for simple DIY projects. You really did an amazing job and this rug just adds more color and vibrance to this nursery room.

I found this blog on pinterest and want to make this exact rug in a different color. How exactly did you make this stencil. I am not very artistic and probably could not draw it free hand, any advice would be great. Thanks

Hi! I think this rug is beautiful and want to do a similar one for my daughter's room before she arrives in may. My concern is that we have dogs, and I wouldn't want the paint peeling off on them or on her if she's crawling around on it. What kind of latex paint did you use? Is it the same kind I would use on a shelf or wall or something different? I'm new to craftiness. Does the rug seem to be holding up as you walk on it? Thanks

Very impressive project i...t's inspiring me to do something for my front room. Your son is very lucky to have such a creative mommy ....can't wait to see the nursery done. You're doing an awesome job!!!

35weeks in right now and wanting to stencil a rug myself.... will it help when I place the rug on a big table? This way I don't have to bend that much.... or should I bring in the troops?Your result inspires me to go forward.

What kind of paint did you use? Was it hard feeling texture after you were done? Curious if you would want to actually sit on the rug afterwards. I did curtains once but they got stiff. It looks beautiful by the way!!!

Smart, Darling idea! Just inferring from what you wrote about the thinness, curling and that once the paint stiffened it in the second try ~ perhaps layering, or doubling the contact paper prior to cutting would create an easier, thicker surface to work with?

The Designer

I'm Cristi Holcombe, owner and Principal Designer of Cristi Holcombe Interiors, LLC in Atlanta, GA. Hopefully this blog gives you a little peek into how I create my designs as well as things that inspire me from day to day.